Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Sunday News Reporter
A 48-year-old Bulawayo man was on Friday sentenced to 10 years in prison for viciously assaulting his 53-year-old elder sister with a brick and iron bar after she brought her boyfriend to live at their family home.
Innocent Nyoni of Iminyela suburb was convicted on his own plea of guilty to attempted murder by Western Commonage regional magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere.
Three years of his sentence were suspended for five years, on condition he does not within that period commit a similar offence, leaving him with an effective seven-year term.
When asked why he committed the offence, Nyoni said he acted in the heat of the moment.
“Your Worship, I am sorry. I got incensed when my sister brought her boyfriend to our family home, which I felt was disrespectful.
“In our tradition, a man is the only one supposed to bring in his spouse, not a woman,” he said in mitigation.
In sentencing, Mr Manwere condemned Nyoni’s conduct, saying the matter should have been resolved amicably.
“You deserve a lengthy sentence. You injured your sister over a family house that does not even belong to you,” he said.
Prosecuting, Ms Christina Manyika told the court that the incident happened on 1 April at around 8PM.
“On that particular day, Nyoni, who was drunk, arrived home shouting that he wanted to kill his sister, Sithabile Nyoni and her boyfriend.
“He punched the complainant before striking her several times all over the body with a brick and an iron bar until she lost consciousness,” said Ms Manyika.
The complainant suffered deep head cuts, bled profusely through the mouth and was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital.
Police later arrested Nyoni following a report of the assault.
